Hood latch



Nov. 7, 1933. F A FALK 1,933,898

HOOD LATCH Filed Jan. 2, 1932 Il? #we Z107' Patented Nov. 71933 AUNITED- STATES PATENTV OFFICE A I i l 1,933,898. A Y l l y l I HOOD LATCH' Y 3- Frank A. Falk, Stacyvillalowa, assigner to Chi-1 cago Forging & Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois v Application January 2, 1932. Serial No.. 584,461

1 Claim.

My invention relates to an improvement in automobile hood latches and is particularly adaptable to employment with multiple hinge hood closures for automobiles. Cne object is the pro- .J vision of such a device which shall include an exterior handle and interior latching means positioned within the hood closure. Another object is the provision of a device which shall include a single exterior handle whereby a plurality of interior latching means may be moved into and out of securing engagement with a keeper or keepers. Other objects will appear from time to time in the Acourse of the speciiication and claim.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing, where- 1n- Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2 is a partial interior elevation on an ,-2,0 enlarged scale; f

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4 4' of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 with parts in unlocked position.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specication and drawing.

Referring to the drawing, A generally indicates a portion of the automobile frame, Al is the radiator, A2 is the lower hinge member of the automobile closure being hinged to the upper member A3 which is hinged to the automobile as at A4. A11 indicates the dash or cowl.

Positioned within said closure and spaced more or less therewithin are the keeper brackets generally indicated as B which include a` bottom flange B1, an upwardly extending portion B2 and a hook portion B3 inclined downwardly and outwardly toward the inner face of the hoodr closure. The bracket or keeper so formed may be secured to the frame by any suitable securing means. I illustrate the bolt B4 with the nut B5.

Rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure, in a generally horizontal position, is the rock shaft` or rod generally indicated as C. I illustrate it as including two end sections C1 slightly inclined in relation to each other which are connected by a handle portion C2. The handle portion C2 is positioned exteriorly of the closure, the sections C1 being connected to the handle portion proper by loops or bends C3 positioned in and passing through the aperture C4 in the closure. C5 indicates bearing brackets for the opposite ends of the sections C1. As will be clear (Cl. Zim- 218) for Aexample from Figures 3, l and 5 the brackets C5 extend inwardly a substantial distance from the inner face oi the closure. The ends of the sections Cl have bends Cs terminating in recurved portions C2. The portions C6 and C2 together 60.v

form cranks adapted for locking engagement with the hook portions B3 of the keepers. It will be noted, as in Figures 3 and 4, that when the device is in locking position the axes of rotation of the end portions Clot the rod C arelocated inwardly of the keeper hooks'BS, the crank portionbeing therefore inclined upwardly and inwardly toward the inner face of the closure.

Assume that the device is in unlocking position with the handle C2 up, as shown in Figure 5. 70 In such position the crank portions C5 C2 extend inwardly toward the keeper. When the closure is moved to closing position the portion C2 actually engages the keeper, as shown in Figure 5. Upon downward movement of the handle C2 the 75 portions Cl are rotated aboutaxes of rotation passing through the bearings C5. The crank portions C5 C2 are thereby rotated into the position in which they are shown in Figure 4, the portions C2 engaging the hook B2 and tending to 80 draw the hood closure downwardly and inwardly, in response tothe eXure and torsion of the rod portions C1.

It will be noted that when the parts are in the unlatched position in which they are shown in Figure 5, the crank C6 lies in a plane at an angle of degrees or more from the plane deii'ned by the adjacent portionC1 of the shaft C as shown in Figure 5. But when the parts are in the latched position in which they are shown in 90 Figure 4, the crank C'lies approximately in the plane delined by the portion C1. This angular Variation is a function of the torsion of the rock shaft C and the fleXure of the crank portions C6 C2. The contacting portion C2 of the crank C6 95 passes over center and is locked under tension of the shaft portion Cl in the latching position. In obtaining this result note that the bearing C5 is spaced inwardly from the inner face of the hood A2 by a distance greater than the distance 100 between the hood A2 and the keeper hook portion B3 when the hood is in latched position. The shaft C, in response to iiexure of the portion C1, tends to draw the lower edge of the hood both downwardly and inwardly when the parts are in the position in which they are shown in Figure 4.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of L10 parts Without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawing to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to my specific showing.

I claim:

In a latching ldevice for the multiple hinge closure of an automobile hood, which includes a plurality of keepers positioned within the hood closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, cranks associated with the opposite ends of said rod, and adapted for operative engagement with said keepers, and means for FRANK A. FALK. 

